We are forever grateful for Dr. Acosta’s lifetime contributions, guidance and mentorship in the field of metabolism and nutrition. 

Phyllis Acosta received her Doctor of Public Health in 1969. She was actively involved in the nutrition management of inborn errors of metabolism since the early 1960s. From 1970 to 1986, she taught dietetics and in 1987 she was appointed the Director of Metabolic Diseases at Ross Laboratories. There she was instrumental in the development and launch of 17 products for patients with inborn errors of metabolism.

Phyllis received many honors during her career, including the first to receive a Lydia J Roberts Fellowship in Public Health Nutrition in 1967, a listing in the Outstanding Young Women of America in 1968, the Outstanding Alumnus of Achievement from Andrews University in 1985, and fellowships in the Volwiler Society of Abbott Laboratories in 2001 and the American Society of Nutrition Sciences in 2002. While with Abbott, she received Presidential Awards in 1989 and 2001, Awards of Excellence in 1989 and 1990, and a Chairman's Award and recognition as a National Employee of Distinction in 1993.

Phyllis authored over 150 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and made over 200 presentations internationally. She helped develop the Ross Nutrition Support Protocols handbook which is in its 4th edition and has been a valuable resource for dietitians managing metabolic disorders.  Dr Acosta was instrumental in designing the bi-annual Advances in Metabolic Research conference series which is very well received by the metabolic community. 

Donations may be made in Dr. Acosta's memory to the Phyllis B. Acosta Scholarship for Advancing the Education of Metabolic Dietitians at GMDI (Genetic Metabolic Dietitians International), P.O. Box 1462, Hillsborough, NC 27278. 

Read Article:  Calcar, Sandy. (2019). In Memorium: Phyllis B. Acosta Dr.PH, R.D, December 27, 1933 – September 30, 2018. Molecular Genetics and Metabolism. 126. 10.1016/j.ymgme.2019.01.003.